Clamp-feeding device.



No. 778,961. 'PATENTEDAJAN 3, 1905.

J. J. FOSS. GLAMP FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 5, 1904.

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No. 778,961. PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905. J. J. FOSS.

CLAMP FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 5, 1904.

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IINTTED STATES JOHN J. FOSS, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BOLEY WIRE FENCE Patented January 3, 1905.'

PATENT OEEICE.

COMPANY, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

CLAMP-FEEDING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 778,961, dated January 3, 1905.

Application led March 5, 1904.v Serial No. 196,711.

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. Foss, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Sandusky, county of Erie, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Clamp-Feeding Devices, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to a clamp-feeding device, and especially to a device which shall feed clamps separately to the line-wire of a fence-weaving machine and in a proper position relatively to said wire to enable them to be moved into proper position relatively to the weaving-machine.

Said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be applied.

In said annexed drawings, Figure l represents a front elevation of the mechanism embodying my improved clamp-feeding device. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof, and Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of one of the clamps.

In the mechanism illustrated in said igu res, A represents the line of the iioor, upon which are securely fastened a plurality of standards B, (three as shown,) all connected rigidly together by a plate C. Supported upon each of the standards B is a clamp receptacle or hopper D, provided with a slanting bottom E. Secured in a common shaft H are a plurality of cams equal in number to the number of standards B and the hoppers D, which shaft is supported in suitable bearings in the standards B and upon which cams F ride a plurality of oscillatory plates Cr. The plates G are triangular in shape and pivoted at one vertex upon a common rod J, such plates passing during their oscillation through grooves O into and through the receptacles D in a vertical longitudinal plane near one side of such receptacles at the lowest part of the inclined bottoms E thereof. The cams F are adapted to carry the plates Gr so that the top sides g of the same lie above the top horizontal plane of the hoppers D when in their highest position and when in their lowest position lie below the lowest horizontal plane of said hoppers. The clamps are represented by K, Fig. 3, of substantially the form shown and adapted to ride upon the side g of the plate Cr, as shown in Fig. 2. Fastened at one end near the axis of oscillation of the plates Gr is a guiding-way L, over which is a guiding-strip M, the guiding-way L and the guiding-strip M forming between them a guiding-groove N, into which the clamps may slide from the edge g of the plate G.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: The hoppers D are filled with clamps, and the same slide down the inclined bottoms E toward and over the grooves O, where, upon the rotation of the cams F, they are caught upon the sides g of the plates G and carried out of the hoppers. The construction of the cams allows the plates G to be at rest during a greater part of the time occupied by the rotation of said cams, said stationary position being assumed when the plates are at the highest position, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the clamps caught upon the edges g of such plates slide down the same and into the guiding-groove N, whence they are conducted to and upon the line-wiresv or wherever else desired. No predetermined number of the clamps are caught by the sides g of the plates Gr at each oscillation, but only such as accidentally lie in the proper position over the grooves O when the plates come up through the same into the hoppers. It is immaterial whether the clamps are caught upon the said edges by the groove it in said clamps or by the groove 7c', Fig. 3; but upon whichever of the two grooves the clamps are caught the major part of each of the clamps will lie on the side of the plates Gr toward the center of the receptacles D, for the space between said plates G and the adjacent side of the receptacles is so small that only one fold 702 of the clamps can be accommodated therein, and if the clamps should fall so as to lie in the other direction they would be forced off into the receptacle and would not be caught permanently upon the plates until they were lying in the proper direction* Other means of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed. p

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention-M 1. In a clamp-feeding device, the combination of a receptacle for clamps, a plate oscillatory about one end as an axis, and passing through said receptacle during such oscillation, and Aadapted to catch and retain during such passage a part of the clamps in said receptacle and withdraw them from same, and means for effecting the oscillation of said plate.

2. In a clamp-feeding device, the' combination of a receptacle for clamps, a triangularlyshaped plate oscillatory about one vertex, part -of said plate passing through said receptacle during such oscillation, and adapted to catch and retain upon its upper surface during such passage a part of the clamps in said receptacle and Withdraw them from same, a cam upon which said plate rides, and means for rotating said cam.

3. In a clamp-feeding device, the combination of a-plurality of receptacles for clamps, a plurality of triangular plates each oscillatory about one vertex and passing through one of said receptacles, and adapted to catch and retainupon its upper surface during such passage a part of the clamps in said receptacle and Withdraw them from same, guidingstrips connected to said plate adjacent to said vertex to form a guidinggroove for said clamps, the oscillation of said plate causing said clamps to travel upon its upper surface toward said groove, a plurality of cams upon which said plates ride, and means for rotating said cams. y

Signed by me this 1st day of-March, 1904:.

JOHN J. FOSS.

Attest:

G. W. SAYWELL, A. MERKEL. 

